Trading fees are one of the few costs you can actually control in crypto. Whether you trade on Binance, BingX, Bitunix, or anywhere else, four distinct levers exist: climbing VIP tiers, using maker orders, paying fees in the exchange’s native token, and signing up through a partner link for a fee payback. Each method works differently, suits different trader profiles, and can be combined. This guide covers all four equally so you can decide which combination fits your situation.
Method 1: VIP tiers — best for high-volume traders
Every major centralized exchange uses a tiered fee schedule. The higher your 30-day trading volume (and sometimes your holdings of the exchange’s native token), the lower your base fee rate. On Binance, for example, the public fee schedule shows progressively lower maker and taker rates as you move from the standard level up through VIP 1, VIP 2, and beyond. The discounts at the top tiers are substantial.
The catch is obvious: you need significant volume to qualify. If you’re trading a few hundred dollars a week, VIP tiers will not move the needle for you. But if you’re already doing meaningful volume, checking the current schedule and calculating your tier is worth ten minutes of your time. Some exchanges also allow institutional applications that fast-track tier upgrades — check with the exchange directly if volume is not the limiting factor.
Who this suits: Active or professional traders who consistently hit high monthly volume. Casual traders will find the other three methods more accessible.
Method 2: Maker orders — best for patient, limit-order traders
Every exchange separates fees into two categories: maker fees and taker fees. A taker order is filled immediately against existing liquidity — a market order is the clearest example. A maker order adds liquidity to the order book by sitting as an unfilled limit order until someone else matches it. Because makers improve the order book, exchanges reward them with lower fees. On most platforms the maker rate is meaningfully lower than the taker rate, and on some it is zero or even negative (a rebate).
In practice, switching from market orders to limit orders placed slightly away from the current price is the simplest fee reduction available to any trader at any volume level. You give up the certainty of instant execution, but in liquid markets with tight spreads the difference is usually small. For swing traders and anyone not chasing momentum fills, this habit alone can reduce effective fees noticeably over time.
Who this suits: Any trader willing to use limit orders. This method has no volume requirement and no signup needed — it is purely a behavioral change.
Method 3: Native token fee discounts — best for traders already holding the token
Many exchanges offer a discount when you pay trading fees in their own token rather than the base currency. Binance’s BNB discount is the most well-known example. The discount rate and whether it applies to spot, futures, or both varies by platform and changes over time, so check the current schedule rather than relying on any number you see quoted online.
This method has a hidden cost that is easy to overlook: holding the native token exposes you to price risk on that asset. If the token drops significantly, the fee savings may be more than offset by the unrealized loss on your holdings. For traders who already believe in the token and hold it anyway, the discount is essentially free. For traders who would otherwise have no exposure to it, the math is less straightforward.
There is also a practical consideration. You need to maintain a balance of the token and remember to keep the fee-payment setting enabled. Some platforms require you to opt in manually each time.
Who this suits: Traders who already hold or plan to hold the exchange’s native token for other reasons. Not worth forcing if you have no interest in the asset itself.
Method 4: Partner link fee paybacks — best for traders who want a guaranteed return on every trade
A fee payback — sometimes called a rebate or cashback — works differently from the other three methods. It does not change the exchange’s posted fee rate. Instead, a portion of the fees you pay is returned to you after the fact, either directly or through a partner who shares their referral commission. This means the exchange still charges you the standard rate at execution, and the return arrives separately, typically in your account balance.
Because the payback is layered on top of the exchange’s normal structure, it stacks with the other methods. A trader using maker orders on a platform that offers a payback benefits from both the lower maker rate and the partial return of whatever fee they did pay.
Two platforms currently offer documented payback rates worth noting. BingX, via a partner link, returns 45% of futures trading fees paid — permanently on the account with no cap on order size. Bitunix, via a partner link, returns 70% of trading fees paid. Both require signing up through the specific link; the payback is not available after the fact on an existing account.
Who this suits: Any trader opening a new account who wants a structural fee reduction from day one. Especially effective for futures traders where fee costs compound quickly.
How the four methods compare
| Method | Reduces posted rate? | Volume requirement? | Works on existing accounts? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP tier | Yes | Yes — high monthly volume | Yes | High-volume active traders |
| Maker orders | Yes | No | Yes | Any trader willing to use limit orders |
| Native token discount | Yes | No | Yes | Traders already holding the token |
| Partner payback | No (returns fees after) | No | New accounts only | Anyone opening a new account |
Combining methods for maximum effect
None of these methods is mutually exclusive. A practical stack for a futures trader opening a new account might look like this: sign up through a partner link to lock in a payback, use limit orders wherever execution timing allows, and hold the platform’s native token if you were planning to anyway. As volume grows over months, a VIP tier upgrade adds another layer on top. Each method addresses a different part of the fee equation, which is why combining them outperforms relying on any single one.
FAQ
Does a fee payback change the rate I see at execution?
No. The exchange charges its standard rate when the trade executes. The payback arrives separately afterward. Your trade confirmation will show the full fee; the return shows up in your account balance on the schedule the platform uses.
Can I get a payback on an account I already have?
Generally no. Partner link paybacks are tied to account registration. An existing account on BingX or Bitunix cannot be retroactively linked to a partner code.
Is using maker orders always better for fees?
Maker orders carry a lower fee rate on virtually every platform, but they are not guaranteed to fill. In fast-moving markets your limit order may sit unfilled while the price moves away. The fee saving is real; the trade-off is execution certainty.
Do these methods work on Binance specifically?
VIP tiers, maker orders, and the BNB fee discount all apply on Binance — check the current schedule for exact rates. Partner paybacks are specific to exchanges that offer them; Binance’s own referral program structure differs, so confirm the terms on whatever platform you are evaluating.
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